Then Jesus immediately urged the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side of the lake, toward Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd.
After the miracle, Christ immediately sets in order the next steps. He urges the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side of the lake, toward Bethsaida, which shows that on their own they perhaps would not have wanted to, or would not have hurried, to leave. Probably, under the impact of the miracle, the people were in great excitement, and there was a danger that this atmosphere would carry them toward earthly, messianic expectations (that is, under the people’s enthusiasm the Messiah could be understood as an earthly king and political liberator, rather than a spiritual Savior). With holiness and wisdom Christ governs the situation, removing His disciples from that influence. They obey His word, even if they do not fully understand the reason for it. He Himself remains in order to dismiss the crowd. This shows His authority and wisdom: He not only works miracles, but also orders the human reactions that arise after them.